Mozambique situation update 31 Jan 2003

Cholera Outbreak in Central and Northern
Mozambique: 1,289 Cases Registered so far
Since September 2002, a number of outbreaks
of cholera have been reported in Nampula, Niassa, Cabo Delgado and most
recently Sofala Province. As of 28 January 2003, 1,289 cases had been reported
with 32 deaths. Sofala and Cabo Delgado are currently the worst affected
provinces.

UNICEF is working with the Municipal
authorities in Beira, Quelimane and Nampula to implement public communication
programmes, thereby enhancing community capacity to prevent, identify and
treat cholera. In addition, chlorine supplies are being provided to the
Provincial Public Works Departments in Sofala, Zambezia and Nampula for
disinfecting of water supplies in the outbreak areas. WHO is providing
financial support for the Cholera Treatment Centres.

Assessments

Floods in Northern Mozambique

UNICEF staff members worked alongside
the Provincial Government in Nampula (14th-17th January) and Zambezia (22nd-24th
January) to assess the impact of Tropical Depression "Delfina"
(which struck in early January). Provincial authorities in Nampula estimate
that the number of people affected is 105,000, with an estimated 22,000
people displaced. 350 schools and 3 health centres are also reported to
be badly damaged.

In Zambezia, Government officials reported
that 28,084 people are affected in two districts. Twenty six school classrooms
and 1 health post have also been damaged.

Co-ordination systems, outlined in the
Government's Contingency Plan for 2003, have been activated and appear
to be working well. Financial assistance from the central level has been
provided to the Provincial Governors to respond to the most urgent needs,
and specific requests have been sent to UN agencies and NGOs for sectoral
support.

Deaths from Hunger in Tete Province

Following reports of hunger-related deaths
in Chitete, Magoé district (Tete Province), UNICEF staff, with Provincial
and District Health authorities, went to assess the situation. According
to their findings, ten people had died recently: eight between 14th-21st
January, and two in November/December. Those who died were reported to
be extremely weakened due to lack of food and therefore succumbed easily
to illnesses. Most were elderly people, although two were adolescents.
On 29th January, three more deaths were reported in Chitete. These have
not been confirmed.

The assessment team found a bleak situation
in the area around Chinthopo. Food stocks ran out three months ago and
people have been living on wild fruits. They have no access to safe water
and thus have to rely on water from the Mussenguezi River. The communities
also informed the team that families who had recently returned from Zimbabwe,
are now moving back again because of the lack of food.

Implementation of the Minimum Results
Package

A. Immediate Actions with Immediate
Effect

A.1. Nutrition and Health

A partnership agreement with World Vision
has now been signed for the implementation of a supplementary feeding programme
in three districts in Tete Province. The programme will include participatory
education on good hygiene and care practices, as well as Vitamin A supplementation
and de-worming for all children included in the programme.

An agreement with LWF to work in Magoé
district (Tete Province) is now under development and is being given priority
attention. WFP is providing the CSB for these supplementary feeding programmes.

B. Immediate Actions with Mid to Long
Term Effect

B.1. Health

The launch of a social marketing campaign
in Gaza will be held on 4th February in Xai-Xai (Gaza). The campaign is
being implemented by Population Services International (PSI) in co-ordination
with the Provincial Health Department, with financial and technical support
from UNICEF. The programme will make various types of nets available (targeted
at urban and rural populations), with discounted nets for vulnerable groups
(children under five and pregnant women) being sold through health posts.

B.2. Education

The distribution of 177,000 pupil kits;
6,200 teaching kits; 590 classroom kits and 1,800 school desks to the affected
districts has now been completed.

B.3. Water, Sanitation and Hygiene
Promotion

In response to the requests for assistance
to respond to the flooding in Nampula and Zambezia provinces, UNICEF is
providing logistical support to move 7,500 blankets, 2,500 plastic shelter
sheets, 10,000 buckets and jerrycans, 1,000 Kg of chlorine, 400,000 water
purification sachets, and 14,000 cholera prevention and treatment posters
to the affected areas. These items made up part of the contingency stock
supplied to the Government during the contingency planning exercise for
2003.